You’re trying to beat some trees, destroy some rocks, blow up some bases, and loot some noobs.

But instead of spawning, the game is crashing when you’re trying to join the Rust server. The only thing worse than lagging, is not being able to join in the first place.

I’ve had this issue myself, and have compiled a list of the 5 solutions that helped me fix Rust crashing when I was joining a server.

Let’s dive in:

Rust Crashing Fixes

There are quite a few different reasons that your game could crash when attempting to join a server:

Outdated Graphics Drivers

Outdated Steam Client

Low Virtual Memory

Missing game files

Discord overlay sometimes causes crashes

Whatever your issue may be, we’ve got the solution for you.

First, make sure the server is using a good server host - however, it’s most likely a problem on your end, rather than the server.

Next, try each one of these in order until Rust stops crashing.

Increase Your Virtual Memory Limit

This is one of the most common fixes for Rust crashing, although not as simple as some of the other options.

Note: This will require a system restart.

Open file manager and right-click This PC

Go to Advanced system settings in the top right

Under performance, go to settings

Select Advanced at the top

Select Change under Virtual memory

Deselect Automatically manage paging file size for all drives

Click on your drive and go to Custom size

Look at the Currently allocated amount, add 2048 to it, and type the resulting number into both Initial size and Maximum size

Click set, OK, OK again, then Apply

Restart Windows and try running Rust

Updating Your Graphics Drivers

Outdated graphics drivers are a lot more common of a problem, but they’re generally the easiest fix you can do and you might as well update them anyway. You might actually get better performance in all of your games.

Try Running in DirectX 9

Your game might take a very small hit in performance with this method, but it’s not a difference that’s noticeable by most people and you want to get to playing Rust already right?

Start Steam, navigate to your library, and find Rust

Right-click Rust and select Properties

Select Set Launch Options

Type “-dx9”

Try launching again

Opt Out of Steam Beta Participation

Some users might have opted into Steam’s beta program in the past but forgot. Steam’s Beta Participation program allows you to test new updates for games before they get rolled out to the majority of players. This can, of course, lead to some unstable build installations.

Start Steam

In the top left, click Steam, then go into Settings

If you are participating in Steam Beta, click CHANGE

Open the drop down menu and select “NONE - Opt out of all beta programs”

Hit OK and restart Steam

Verify Game Files

Your game files may be corrupted. Try verifying them to make sure everything is okay.

Find Rust in your Steam Library

Right-click on Rust

Select “Properties”

Click on the “Local Files” tab

Click the “Verify Integrity of Game Files” button

Steam will check your game files to make sure there aren’t any issues. If so, they’ll be fixed.

Rust Game Requirements

If all of the solutions above aren’t working, your PC might not be powerful enough to run the game.